The Top 10 Beaches In America Ranked

• In his annual survey, Dr. Beach has named Lifeguarded Beach on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, as the best stretch of sand in the country.  
• Dr. Beach is coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman. He has been ranking the best beaches in America since 1991. He uses 50 criteria and examines 650 public beaches every year. 
• The good doctor said about Lifeguarded Beach, "I like this area because it has the three things that you must have to make a great beach: clean sand, clean water, and beach safety."  
• If you want to get to Ocracoke Island to see the beach, you'll need to take a private plane, boat, or ferry. 

Here are the top 10:

1. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks of North Carolina
2. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
4. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
5. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
6. Lighthouse Beach, Buxton, Outer Banks of North Carolina
7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
8. Wailea Beach, Maui, Hawaii
9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
10. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts